Habitat secured to protect wildlife near suburbs

Published 22 April 2021

Moreton Bay Regional Council has commenced acquiring strategic land parcels to conserve the region’s ecological communities and protect native habitat and wildlife from future development.

A 4.18-hectare property at Clear Mountain was purchased today to link Eatons Crossing Road Reserve, Edward D Allison Park, and the greater wildlife corridor along Eaton’s Crossing Road.

Mayor Peter Flannery said it was a great start to Council’s new annual $1.8 million Land Buyback Program for Environmental Purposes.

“As our region grows, we must increase our investment in protecting wildlife corridors, habitat and greenspace; not just for koalas but also for our other 51 rare and threatened fauna species for generations to come,” Mayor Flannery said.

“I hope this new Council initiative helps reassure locals that environment preservation is a key consideration of Council amongst all our work like infrastructure delivery, waste collection, and road construction.

“This complements the work we do in the green infrastructure space, which will see more than $1.5 million invested this financial year into fauna crossings and underpasses, protective fencing along roads and wildlife signage for drivers.

“Where rope bridges and fauna fencing can’t be installed, wildlife are at risk of being hit by cars so please slow down when you’re driving through bushland areas.”

Councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) said she hoped to see a lot more land preserved for conservation purposes and encouraged locals to talk about how we can better plan for population growth.

“Residents and drivers travelling along Eatons Crossing Road regularly report seeing wildlife like koalas, kangaroos and echidnas, so this particular parcel of land holds significant ecological values nestled between our suburbs and the bush,” Cr Tonks said.

“It’s also been identified that through restoration and rehabilitation we can improve the riparian values of Cedar Creek, which borders the property.

“Just as Council is planning to provide new housing for our growing human population, we are also planning to protect the habitats our wildlife call home so that their population can grow too.”

For more information about Council’s Land Buyback Program for Environmental Purposes, visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Reports-Policies/Policies/Land-buyback-program-for-environmental-purposes